VCU's interdisciplinary doctoral program in Media Art & Text (MATX) is a joint endeavor of the Department of English, the School of the Arts, and the School of Mass Communications. The program emphasizes the historical and theoretical foundations essential to thescholarly study of media, both old and new, broadly defined. It providesan intellectually stimulating environment that encourages students to work both collaboratively and  independently, as well as across and between disciplinesand media. Students maintain a base in their primary area of research, which is usually but not always the field in which they have done prior graduate work.

The MATX program is designed for those who hold a master's degree (MA, MFA, or MS) in a relevant field and who wish to expand their research and creative or professional practice. Emphasizing innovative, original scholarship and cross-disciplinary interaction, it trains students in both traditional and new research methods. Coursework and research expectations are rigorously academic, and there is a strong emphasis on writing throughout the curriculum. For those whose backgrounds are primarily creative or professional, the MATX program provides the opportunity to add scholarly, historical, and/or theoretical dimensions to established practice. Although there are opportunities for studio work and professional development, the degree requirements are those of a traditional research PhD in the humanities or communications. MATX is not a studio program, and it does not provide studio or exhibition space. Students are encouraged to seek out opportunities for collaboration at VCU and in the wider Richmond arts community.

The 42-hour curriculum comprises 36 hours of course work and a minimum of 6 hours of dissertation research. Course work includes a core of four required courses taken during the first two semesters by all incoming students. Three of the courses are doctoral seminars that provide a shared historical and theoretical foundation for the study of media, art and text. The fourth, a workshop,offers the opportunity to develop and expand the skills needed to maintain aprofessional presence online and to support dissertationresearch. In addition, all students will take a research methods course and theory course in fields relevant to their anticipated area of dissertation research.

Beyond the core, students select 18 hours of elective credits from course offerings in disciplines relevant to their research interests and career goals. Each semester the program offers a topics seminar focused on the history, theory, or practice of media, art, and text. Independent study and internships are also available as electives.

Together the core and the electives support the interdisciplinary work of the dissertation, which is an original scholarly examination of some aspect of media, art and/or text. It may include work in media other than text. It is supervised by a committee consisting of four or five members drawn from disciplines relevant to the research topic.

The program awards a limited number of nine-month and twelve-month assistantships on a competitive basis. Assistantships cover tuition, but not fees, and carry a stipend of $10,000 to $17,000 depending on the award. Assistantships require 20 hours of work per week.

Find the latest MATX news on the VCU English News blog.

Dr. Eric Garberson, Program Director
Thom Didato, Graduate Programs Advisorg

MATX Steering Committee, 2011-2012

English
Dr. Joshua Eckhardt, Associate Professor
Dr. David Golumbia, Assistant Professor
Dr. Gretchen Soderlund, Assistant Professor

School of Mass Communications
Dr. Marcus Messner, Assistant Professor
Dr. Judy Van Slyke Turk, Professor and Associate Director for Special Projects

VCUarts
Ms. Hilary Wilder, Assistant Professor, Painting and Printmaking
Ms. Hope Ginsburg, Assistant Professor, Art Foundation